Iraq started operating a new natural gas processing plant for southern oil fields in line with a plan to utilize gas that was previously flared for electricity production, reported Reuters. The plant is to process gas from the Fakka and Bazargan oilfields in Misan province, on the border with Iran, with a prospect to connect all oil fields in the area to the plant.

In addition, Basrah region started exporting cargoes of gas condensates and liquefied petroleum gas processed from the fields, ِZawya stated.

Iraq, OPEC’s second largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia, flares about 70% of its gas output, according to the Basrah Gas Company.